Exhibit 99.1

  SANGAMO BIOSCIENCES ANNOUNCES SECOND EXPANSION OF RESEARCH COLLABORATION WITH
                  LIFESCAN FOCUSED ON NOVEL DIABETES TREATMENTS

     RICHMOND, Calif., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sangamo BioSciences,
Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO) announced today the second expansion of its research
collaboration with LifeScan, Inc. to use Sangamo's proprietary zinc finger DNA
binding proteins (ZFPs) to develop therapeutic cell lines as a treatment for
diabetes. LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson company (NYSE: JNJ), is a leading
manufacturer of blood glucose meters. Under the agreement, Sangamo will receive
expanded research funding from LifeScan through 2006.

     "Our research collaboration with LifeScan illustrates the potential of our
ZFP technology to play a key role in regenerative medicine approaches," said
Edward Lanphier, Sangamo's president and chief executive officer. "We can design
and engineer ZFP transcription factors (ZFP TFs) that specifically regulate the
expression of genes that LifeScan has identified as critical for the development
of potential cell therapeutics for the treatment of diabetes. Our initial
collaboration has gone very well and we believe that LifeScan's decision to
extend our agreement demonstrates their enthusiasm for our technology and its
potential for developing novel therapeutics."

     Proteins known as transcription factors are critical components for the
expression of genes in all organisms. A transcription factor regulates gene
expression by recognizing and binding to a specific DNA sequence associated with
a particular gene and causing that gene to be activated or repressed. Activation
or repression of a gene in a cell can have a specific effect on the cell's
function that may be therapeutically useful.

     Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not make, or does not
properly regulate the hormone insulin. Insulin helps the body to store and use
the energy from sugar, starches and other foods. The result is that the body
doesn't get the energy it needs, and unmetabolized sugar (glucose), builds up in
the blood causing damage to the body and its systems. An estimated 18.2 million
Americans, or about 3 percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes. Annually,
1.3 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed among people 20 years or older
in the United States.

     About Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.

     Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. is focused on the research and development of
novel DNA-binding proteins for therapeutic gene regulation and modification. The
most advanced ZFP Therapeutic(TM) development programs are currently in Phase I
clinical trials for evaluation of safety in patients with diabetic neuropathy
and peripheral artery disease. Other therapeutic development programs are
focused on macular degeneration, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart
failure, neuropathic pain, and infectious and monogenic diseases. Sangamo's core
competencies enable the engineering of a class of DNA-binding proteins known as
zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFPs). By engineering ZFPs that recognize a
specific DNA sequence Sangamo has created ZFP transcription factors (ZFP TF(TM))
that can control gene expression and, consequently, cell function. Sangamo is
also developing sequence-specific ZFP Nucleases (ZFN(TM)) for therapeutic gene
modification as a treatment for a variety of monogenic diseases, such as sickle
cell anemia, and for infectious diseases, such as HIV. For more information
about Sangamo, visit the company's web site at www.sangamo.com.

     This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
Sangamo's current expectations. These forward-looking statements include,
without limitation, references to the research and development of novel ZFP TFs
and ZFNs and therapeutic applications of Sangamo's ZFP technology platform.
Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due
to a number of factors, including technological challenges, Sangamo's ability to
develop commercially viable products and technological developments by our
competitors. See the company's SEC filings, and in particular, the risk factors
described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its most recent 10-Q.
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking
information contained in this press release.

SOURCE  Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.
    -0-                             09/14/2005
    /CONTACT:  Elizabeth Wolffe, Ph.D. of Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.,
+1-510-970-6000, ext. 271, or ewolffe@sangamo.com; or media, Justin Jackson,
+1-212-213-0006, or investors, John Cummings, +1-415-352-6262, both of Burns
McClellan, Inc., for Sangamo BioSciences, Inc./
    /Web site:  http://www.sangamo.com /